Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 15ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Α′ ΙΕ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

Γνωρίζω δὲ ὑμῖν, ἀδελφοί, τὸ εὐαγγέλιον ὃ εὐηγγελισάμην ὑμῖν, ὃ καὶ παρελάβετε, ἐν ᾧ καὶ ἑστήκατε,

Now I make known to you, brothers, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,

Topic transitionδέA formal disclosure formula (γνωρίζω) opens the chapter's great theme: Paul reminds them of the gospel — already preached, received, and the ground on which they stand.
ΓνωρίζωI make knownPres Act Indic 1 Sg · γνωρίζωmain verb (disclosure formula)→ customary presentγνωρίζω: 'make known, remind'; a disclosure formula here, recalling what is already known rather than revealing the new.
δὲnowtransitional conjunction
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate address marking a new section of the letter.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
εὐαγγέλιονgospelAccusativedirect objectεὐαγγέλιον: 'good news'; the saving proclamation, here defined by the tradition that follows (vv.3–5).
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εὐηγγελισάμην)
εὐηγγελισάμηνI preachedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · εὐαγγελίζωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristεὐαγγελίζω: 'announce good news'; cognate with εὐαγγέλιον — Paul 'gospeled the gospel' to them.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παρελάβετε)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
παρελάβετεyou receivedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · παραλαμβάνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπαραλαμβάνω: 'receive (a tradition)'; the technical term (with παραδίδωμι, v.3) for transmitting authoritative teaching.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
whichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐν)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
ἑστήκατεyou standPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (rel. clause)→ intensive perfect (standing firm)ἵστημι: the perfect ἑστήκατε = 'you have taken your stand and stand'; the gospel is the ground they occupy.
2

δι' οὗ καὶ σῴζεσθε, τίνι λόγῳ εὐηγγελισάμην ὑμῖν εἰ κατέχετε, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ εἰκῇ ἐπιστεύσατε.

through which also you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you — unless you believed in vain.

Relative expansion (result/condition)δι' οὗThe gospel is also the means of salvation — conditioned on holding fast; the warning 'unless you believed in vain' presses the seriousness of the chapter's argument.
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (means)
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of διά)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
σῴζεσθεyou are being savedPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · σῴζωmain verb→ progressive presentσῴζω: 'save, rescue'; the present marks salvation as an ongoing reality grasped through the gospel.
τίνιby whatDativeinterrogative adj. (or attraction; with λόγῳ)τίς: interrogative; here 'with what word' — the content Paul preached, picked up by εἰ κατέχετε.
λόγῳwordDativedat. of instrument / referenceλόγος: 'word, message'; the gospel-word in the precise terms Paul delivered it.
εὐηγγελισάμηνI preachedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · εὐαγγελίζωverb (rel./indirect-question clause)→ constative aorist
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
εἰifconditional conjunction (first class)
κατέχετεyou hold fastPres Act Indic 2 Pl · κατέχωverb (protasis)→ customary presentκατέχω: 'hold fast, retain' (κατά-intensive of ἔχω); persevering grip on the message preached.
ἐκτὸςexceptadverb (with εἰ μή = 'unless')ἐκτὸς εἰ μή: a pleonastic 'except if,' i.e. 'unless' — qualifying the whole.
εἰifconjunction (in ἐκτὸς εἰ μή)
μὴnotnegative particle
εἰκῇin vainadverb (manner)εἰκῇ: 'without purpose, to no end'; a faith that failed to take hold would be empty faith.
ἐπιστεύσατεyou believedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · πιστεύωverb (in the εἰ-clause)→ constative aorist (entry into faith)πιστεύω: 'believe, trust'; the aorist points to their initial act of faith at conversion.
3

παρέδωκα γὰρ ὑμῖν ἐν πρώτοις ὃ καὶ παρέλαβον, ὅτι Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν κατὰ τὰς γραφάς,

For I handed on to you among the first things what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

Ground (the tradition itself)γάρPaul cites the primitive creed he received and transmitted — 'among the first things.' The first member: Christ died for sins, in accordance with Scripture.
παρέδωκαI handed onAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver (a tradition)'; the technical counterpart to παραλαμβάνω — transmission of fixed teaching.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ἐνamongpreposition + dative
πρώτοιςthe first thingsDativesubstantival adj. (object of ἐν)πρῶτος: 'first'; ἐν πρώτοις = 'as of first importance' (priority of rank, not merely time).
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παρέδωκα/παρέλαβον)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
παρέλαβονI receivedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παραλαμβάνωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aoristπαραλαμβάνω: 'receive'; Paul himself stands in the chain of transmission — he received before he delivered.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introduces creedal content)ὅτι: 'that'; recitative, introducing the first clause of the cited tradition.
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Anointed,' Messiah; the subject of all four creedal verbs.
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (creedal line 1)→ constative aorist (the event)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the historical fact of the death, stated baldly as the creed's first fact.
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (benefit/substitution)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of'; here with sacrificial/substitutionary force — 'for our sins.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτιῶνsinsGenitiveobject of ὑπέρἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the death is purposive — to deal with sins, echoing Isa 53.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (conformity)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
γραφάςScripturesAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)γραφή: 'Scripture'; the saving death fulfills the OT (esp. Isa 53), not a novelty.
4

καὶ ὅτι ἐτάφη, καὶ ὅτι ἐγήγερται τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ κατὰ τὰς γραφάς,

and that he was buried, and that he has been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Creedal continuationκαὶ ὅτιLines two and three of the creed: burial (sealing the reality of death) and resurrection on the third day — the perfect tense ἐγήγερται marking an abiding state, also 'according to the Scriptures.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (creedal clause)
ἐτάφηhe was buriedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (creedal line 2)→ constative aoristθάπτω: 'bury'; the burial certifies a real death — and prepares for the empty tomb.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (creedal clause)
ἐγήγερταιhe has been raisedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (creedal line 3)→ intensive perfect (abiding result)ἐγείρω: 'raise up'; the shift from aorists to the perfect is deliberate — the resurrection's effect stands permanently. The keyword of the chapter.
τῇon theDativearticle
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedat. of time (when)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the dative of point of time.
τῇtheDativearticle (with τρίτῃ)
τρίτῃthirdDativeattributive adjectiveτρίτος: 'third'; 'on the third day' — perhaps echoing Hos 6:2 / Jonah 1:17, part of the scriptural pattern.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (conformity)
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
γραφάςScripturesAccusativeobject of κατά (standard)γραφή: 'Scripture'; the resurrection too fulfills the prophetic word.
5

καὶ ὅτι ὤφθη Κηφᾷ, εἶτα τοῖς δώδεκα·

and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve;

Creedal continuation (witnesses)καὶ ὅτιThe fourth creedal line begins the witness-list: the risen Christ appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve — the foundational apostolic testimony.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὅτιthatconjunction (creedal clause)
ὤφθηhe appearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (creedal line 4)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. pass. ὤφθη): 'was seen, appeared'; the standard term for resurrection appearances, taking a dative of the one to whom he appeared.
Κηφᾷto CephasDativedat. of indirect object (recipient of appearance)Κηφᾶς: Aramaic 'rock' = Peter; listed first, as the pre-eminent witness (cf. Lk 24:34).
εἶταthenadverb (temporal sequence)εἶτα: 'then, next'; orders the appearances in sequence.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
δώδεκαTwelveDativedat. of indirect object (indeclinable numeral)δώδεκα: 'twelve'; the apostolic college as a fixed body, named even though incomplete after Judas.
6

ἔπειτα ὤφθη ἐπάνω πεντακοσίοις ἀδελφοῖς ἐφάπαξ, ἐξ ὧν οἱ πλείονες μένουσιν ἕως ἄρτι, τινὲς δὲ ἐκοιμήθησαν·

then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, of whom the majority remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;

Creedal continuation (witnesses)ἔπειταA mass appearance to over five hundred — most still living, an implicit invitation to verify; the euphemism 'fallen asleep' for those who have died anticipates the chapter's hope.
ἔπειταthenadverb (temporal sequence)ἔπειτα: 'thereupon, next'; continues the ordered list of appearances.
ὤφθηhe appearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aorist
ἐπάνωmore thanadverb (with numeral)ἐπάνω: 'above, more than'; quantifies the witnesses — upwards of five hundred.
πεντακοσίοιςfive hundredDativeattributive numeral (with ἀδελφοῖς)πεντακόσιοι: 'five hundred'; a large body of named-able witnesses.
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedat. of indirect object (recipients)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; fellow believers — the appearance was to the church, not only officials.
ἐφάπαξat onceadverb (manner)ἐφάπαξ: 'all at once, at one time'; rules out a private hallucination — a simultaneous corporate sighting.
ἐξofpreposition + genitive (partitive)
ὧνwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἐξ)
οἱtheNominativearticle
πλείονεςmajorityNominativesubject (substantival comparative)πλείων: 'more, the greater part'; most of the five hundred are still alive — verifiable witnesses.
μένουσινremainPres Act Indic 3 Pl · μένωmain verb (rel. clause)→ progressive presentμένω: 'remain, abide'; here 'remain alive.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition / conjunction (with ἄρτι)
ἄρτιnowadverb (time)ἄρτι: 'now, at present'; ἕως ἄρτι = 'right up to the present' — they can still be questioned.
τινὲςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἐκοιμήθησανhave fallen asleepAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κοιμάομαιmain verb→ constative aoristκοιμάομαι: 'sleep, fall asleep'; the gentle Christian euphemism for the death of believers — sleep implies waking.
7

ἔπειτα ὤφθη Ἰακώβῳ, εἶτα τοῖς ἀποστόλοις πᾶσιν·

then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles;

Creedal continuation (witnesses)ἔπειταTwo further appearances: to James (the Lord's brother) and to all the apostles — broadening the circle of authoritative witnesses.
ἔπειταthenadverb (temporal sequence)
ὤφθηhe appearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aorist
Ἰακώβῳto JamesDativedat. of indirect object (recipient)Ἰάκωβος: James; almost certainly the Lord's brother, later leader of the Jerusalem church — once an unbeliever (Jn 7:5).
εἶταthenadverb (temporal sequence)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἀποστόλοιςapostlesDativedat. of indirect object (recipients)ἀπόστολος: 'apostle, sent one'; here a wider circle than the Twelve.
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'all'; the appearance embraced the whole apostolic company.
8

ἔσχατον δὲ πάντων ὡσπερεὶ τῷ ἐκτρώματι ὤφθη κἀμοί.

and last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Creedal continuation (Paul's own witness)δέPaul adds himself as the final witness — but with humility: 'as to one untimely born,' an abnormal, late, grace-given apostleship (the Damascus road).
ἔσχατονlastadverbial accusative (time)ἔσχατος: 'last'; ἔσχατον πάντων = 'last of all' — Paul closes the list of appearances.
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
πάντωνof allGenitivepartitive/comparative genitive
ὡσπερεὶas if tocomparative particleὡσπερεί: 'as it were, as if'; softens the startling image that follows.
τῷtheDativearticle
ἐκτρώματιuntimely birthDativedat. of comparison (object of ὡσπερεί)ἔκτρωμα: 'miscarriage, untimely birth, abortion'; a self-deprecating term — Paul as an abnormal, violently-born apostle, perhaps echoing a taunt.
ὤφθηhe appearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aorist
κἀμοίalso to meDativedat. of indirect object (crasis καί + ἐμοί)κἀμοί: crasis of καὶ ἐμοί, 'also to me'; Paul claims a genuine resurrection appearance equal in kind to the others.
9

Ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι ὁ ἐλάχιστος τῶν ἀποστόλων, ὃς οὐκ εἰμὶ ἱκανὸς καλεῖσθαι ἀπόστολος, διότι ἐδίωξα τὴν ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ θεοῦ·

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God;

Ground (Paul's unworthiness)γάρPaul explains the 'untimely born': he is the least apostle, unfit even to bear the name, because he persecuted God's church — a personal aside on grace.
ἘγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
theNominativearticle
ἐλάχιστοςleastNominativepredicate nominative (superlative)ἐλάχιστος: 'smallest, least'; superlative of μικρός — Paul ranks himself lowest, perhaps a play on his name (Paulus = 'small').
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἀποστόλωνapostlesGenitivepartitive genitive
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject)
οὐκnotnegative particle
εἰμὶamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative present
ἱκανὸςfitNominativepredicate adjectiveἱκανός: 'sufficient, worthy, fit'; Paul disclaims any merit for the title.
καλεῖσθαιto be calledPres Pass Inf · καλέωepexegetical infinitive (of ἱκανός)→ progressive presentκαλέω: 'call, name'; specifies what he is unfit for — to bear the name 'apostle.'
ἀπόστολοςapostleNominativepredicate nom. (complement of καλεῖσθαι)
διότιbecausecausal conjunctionδιότι: 'because, for the reason that'; gives the ground of his unworthiness.
ἐδίωξαI persecutedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · διώκωmain verb (causal clause)→ constative aoristδιώκω: 'pursue, persecute'; Paul's pre-conversion assault on the church — the dark backdrop to grace.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐκκλησίανchurchAccusativedirect objectἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; 'the church of God' — to persecute it was to fight God himself (cf. Acts 9:4).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivepossessive/relationship genitive
10

χάριτι δὲ θεοῦ εἰμι ὅ εἰμι, καὶ ἡ χάρις αὐτοῦ ἡ εἰς ἐμὲ οὐ κενὴ ἐγενήθη, ἀλλὰ περισσότερον αὐτῶν πάντων ἐκοπίασα, οὐκ ἐγὼ δὲ ἀλλὰ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ σὺν ἐμοί.

but by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more than all of them — yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Contrast (grace)δέThe pivot from unworthiness to grace: what Paul is, he is by grace — grace that proved fruitful in his labors, yet the credit belongs not to him but to the grace working with him.
χάριτιby graceDativedat. of means/cause (emphatic, fronted)χάρις: 'grace'; fronted for emphasis — grace is the sole explanation of Paul's transformation.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
whatNominativerelative pronoun (predicate)
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
theNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubjectχάρις: 'grace'; God's unmerited favor, now considered as an effective power in Paul's life.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of source/possession
theNominativearticle (with εἰς ἐμέ)
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction/reference)
ἐμὲmeAccusativeobject of εἰς
οὐnotnegative particle
κενὴempty/in vainNominativepredicate adjectiveκενός: 'empty, vain, fruitless'; the grace did not fail of its effect — a keyword echoed at vv.14, 58.
ἐγενήθηwas/provedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, prove to be'; the grace 'turned out' not empty.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
περισσότερονmore abundantlyadverbial comparativeπερισσότερον: 'more abundantly, beyond'; comparative of περισσός — Paul's labors exceeded the others'.
αὐτῶνthan themGenitivegenitive of comparison
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective
ἐκοπίασαI laboredAor Act Indic 1 Sg · κοπιάωmain verb→ constative aoristκοπιάω: 'toil, labor to exhaustion'; strenuous, wearying work — Paul's apostolic exertions.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγὼINominative(implied subject, corrected)
δὲyetadversative conjunction
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
theNominativearticle
χάριςgraceNominativesubject (the true agent)χάρις: 'grace'; the corrective — grace, not Paul, is the real worker.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source
thatNominativearticle (with σὺν ἐμοί)
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)
ἐμοίmeDativeobject of σύνthe grace 'with me' — a cooperating, indwelling power, not Paul's own strength.
11

εἴτε οὖν ἐγὼ εἴτε ἐκεῖνοι, οὕτως κηρύσσομεν καὶ οὕτως ἐπιστεύσατε.

Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Inference (unity of the message)οὖνThe section closes by uniting all the witnesses: whatever the messenger, the message is one — and it is the message they believed. This is the common ground from which the argument proceeds.
εἴτεwhethercorrelative conjunctionεἴτε … εἴτε: 'whether … or'; sets the messengers in alternative, indifferent to which.
οὖνtheninferential conjunction
ἐγὼINominativesubject (in alternative)
εἴτεorcorrelative conjunction
ἐκεῖνοιtheyNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun)ἐκεῖνος: 'that one, they'; the other apostles, the witnesses just listed.
οὕτωςsoadverb (manner)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; pointing back to the creed of vv.3–5 as the agreed content.
κηρύσσομενwe preachPres Act Indic 1 Pl · κηρύσσωmain verb→ customary presentκηρύσσω: 'proclaim, herald'; the apostolic preaching, uniform in all of them.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὕτωςsoadverb (manner)
ἐπιστεύσατεyou believedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb→ constative aoristπιστεύω: 'believe'; the Corinthians' faith rests on this very message — so to deny resurrection is to undercut their own faith.
12

Εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς κηρύσσεται ὅτι ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγήγερται, πῶς λέγουσιν ἐν ὑμῖν τινες ὅτι ἀνάστασις νεκρῶν οὐκ ἔστιν;

Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Problem stated (refutation begins)δέThe argument turns: granting the agreed preaching that Christ is risen, how can some Corinthians deny a resurrection of the dead at all? The inconsistency exposes their error.
Εἰifconditional conjunction (first class)εἰ: 'if'; a first-class condition assuming the truth of the protasis for the sake of argument.
δὲnowtransitional conjunction
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
κηρύσσεταιis preachedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · κηρύσσωmain verb (protasis)→ customary presentκηρύσσω: 'proclaim'; the present underscores the church's continuing message.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκ (separation)νεκρός: 'dead'; 'from among the dead' — bodily resurrection out of the realm of the dead.
ἐγήγερταιhe has been raisedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωverb (content clause)→ intensive perfect (abiding result)ἐγείρω: the perfect again — Christ remains the risen one.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverbπῶς: 'how?'; a rhetorical challenge exposing the contradiction.
λέγουσινsayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (apodosis)→ customary presentλέγω: 'say'; the claim being made by 'some.'
ἐνamongpreposition + dative
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone'; a faction in Corinth denying the resurrection.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
ἀνάστασιςresurrectionNominativesubjectἀνάστασις: 'resurrection, rising'; the disputed doctrine itself.
νεκρῶνof the deadGenitiveobjective genitive
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ stative presentεἰμί: existential 'there is'; the denial in its starkest form.
13

εἰ δὲ ἀνάστασις νεκρῶν οὐκ ἔστιν, οὐδὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται·

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised;

Logical consequenceδέFirst step of the reductio: deny resurrection in principle, and you deny Christ's own resurrection — the categories stand or fall together.
εἰifconditional conjunction
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἀνάστασιςresurrectionNominativesubject
νεκρῶνof the deadGenitiveobjective genitive
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (protasis)→ stative present
οὐδὲnot evennegative adverb/conjunctionοὐδέ: 'not even'; the inference is inescapable — Christ falls under the category 'dead.'
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
ἐγήγερταιhas been raisedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (apodosis)→ intensive perfectἐγείρω: the resurrection-keyword, now negated for argument's sake.
14

εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς οὐκ ἐγήγερται, κενὸν ἄρα τὸ κήρυγμα ἡμῶν, κενὴ καὶ ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν.

and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is empty, and your faith also is empty.

Logical consequenceδέSecond step: a Christless-resurrection gospel guts both the message and the believing — 'empty' (κενόν), hollow of content and power.
εἰifconditional conjunction
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγήγερταιhas been raisedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (protasis)→ intensive perfect
κενὸνemptyNominativepredicate adjectiveκενός: 'empty, void, without content'; the preaching would be hollow — no saving reality behind it.
ἄραtheninferential particleἄρα: 'so, then'; draws the consequence.
τὸtheNominativearticle
κήρυγμαpreachingNominativesubjectκήρυγμα: 'proclamation, the thing preached'; the content, not just the act, of preaching.
ἡμῶνourGenitivepossessive genitive
κενὴemptyNominativepredicate adjectiveκενός: 'empty'; the faith too would be void — resting on nothing.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
theNominativearticle
πίστιςfaithNominativesubjectπίστις: 'faith'; their trust would have no object worth trusting.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
15

εὑρισκόμεθα δὲ καὶ ψευδομάρτυρες τοῦ θεοῦ, ὅτι ἐμαρτυρήσαμεν κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ ὅτι ἤγειρεν τὸν Χριστόν, ὃν οὐκ ἤγειρεν εἴπερ ἄρα νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται.

Moreover we are found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ — whom he did not raise, if indeed the dead are not raised.

Logical consequenceδέThird step: the apostles would be exposed as liars against God himself, falsely attributing to him a resurrection he never worked — a grave charge if the dead truly are not raised.
εὑρισκόμεθαwe are foundPres Pass Indic 1 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ present (resultant state)εὑρίσκω (pass.): 'be found, turn out to be'; the verdict that would fall on the apostles.
δὲmoreovercontinuative conjunction
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
ψευδομάρτυρεςfalse witnessesNominativepredicate nominativeψευδομάρτυς: 'false witness, perjurer' (ψεῦδος + μάρτυς); the apostles would be guilty of false testimony.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobjective genitive (witnesses about God)
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
ἐμαρτυρήσαμενwe testifiedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · μαρτυρέωmain verb (causal clause)→ constative aoristμαρτυρέω: 'bear witness, testify'; the apostolic testimony staked on the resurrection.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition)κατά + gen.: 'against'; the testimony would be 'against God' — misrepresenting him.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of κατά
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
ἤγειρενhe raisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωverb (content clause)→ constative aoristἐγείρω (active): God 'raised' Christ — the resurrection seen as the Father's act.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ΧριστόνChristAccusativedirect object
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἤγειρενhe raisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (rel. clause)→ constative aorist
εἴπερif indeedconditional conjunction (intensive)εἴπερ: 'if indeed, if after all'; presses the assumed premise of the opponents.
ἄραtheninferential particle
νεκροὶthe deadNominativesubject
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγείρονταιare raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb (protasis)→ gnomic presentἐγείρω: the gnomic/general present — 'the dead (as a class) are not raised.'
16

εἰ γὰρ νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, οὐδὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται·

For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised;

Restatement (ground)γάρPaul restates v.13 to fix the premise before drawing its devastating conclusions — the resurrection of Christ and of believers are one issue.
εἰifconditional conjunction
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
νεκροὶthe deadNominativesubject
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγείρονταιare raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb (protasis)→ gnomic present
οὐδὲnot evennegative adverb
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
ἐγήγερταιhas been raisedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (apodosis)→ intensive perfect
17

εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς οὐκ ἐγήγερται, ματαία ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν, ἔτι ἐστὲ ἐν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ὑμῶν.

and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Logical consequenceδέThe deadliest consequence: without resurrection, faith is futile and the atonement unratified — you remain unforgiven, 'still in your sins.'
εἰifconditional conjunction
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγήγερταιhas been raisedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb (protasis)→ intensive perfect
ματαίαfutileNominativepredicate adjectiveμάταιος: 'futile, fruitless, vain'; even stronger than κενός (v.14) — faith that achieves nothing.
theNominativearticle
πίστιςfaithNominativesubject
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
ἔτιstilladverb (time)ἔτι: 'still, yet'; the unbearable consequence — no advance over the pre-Christian state.
ἐστὲyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ταῖςtheDativearticle
ἁμαρτίαιςsinsDativedat. of sphereἁμαρτία: 'sin'; without the resurrection vindicating the cross, sins remain unforgiven.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
18

ἄρα καὶ οἱ κοιμηθέντες ἐν Χριστῷ ἀπώλοντο.

Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

Logical consequenceἄραA further conclusion: the Christian dead, far from being safe, would simply be lost — 'fallen asleep' becomes 'perished.'
ἄραtheninferential particle
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κοιμηθέντεςwho have fallen asleepAor Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κοιμάομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ constative aoristκοιμάομαι: 'fall asleep' — the believing dead; the euphemism presupposes a hope now hypothetically denied.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of union/sphereἐν Χριστῷ: the Pauline formula of incorporation — they died in union with Christ.
ἀπώλοντοhave perishedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb→ constative aoristἀπόλλυμι (mid.): 'perish, be lost, be destroyed'; the stark opposite of salvation — total ruin.
19

εἰ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ ταύτῃ ἐν Χριστῷ ἠλπικότες ἐσμὲν μόνον, ἐλεεινότεροι πάντων ἀνθρώπων ἐσμέν.

If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Climax of the reductioasyndetonThe argument's nadir: if Christian hope reaches no further than this life, believers — who forgo so much for an empty hope — are the most pitiable of all. Then comes the great reversal of v.20.
εἰifconditional conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
ζωῇlifeDativedat. of sphere/timeζωή: 'life'; here the present, earthly existence.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective
ἐνinpreposition + dative (object of hope)
ΧριστῷChristDativeobject of hope
ἠλπικότεςhaving hopedPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · ἐλπίζωperiphrastic participle (w/ ἐσμέν)→ intensive perfect (settled hope)ἐλπίζω: 'hope'; the perfect periphrastic stresses a hope held and abiding — vain if life is all there is.
ἐσμὲνwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic w/ ptc.)→ stative present
μόνονonlyadverb (limiting; with ἐν τῇ ζωῇ ταύτῃ)μόνον: 'only'; the crucial limiting word — if hope is confined to this life alone.
ἐλεεινότεροιmore to be pitiedNominativepredicate adjective (comparative)ἐλεεινός: 'pitiable'; comparative + genitive of comparison — 'more pitiable than all.'
πάντωνthan allGenitivegenitive of comparison
ἀνθρώπωνpeopleGenitivegenitive of comparisonἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the comparison embraces all humanity.
ἐσμένwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
20

Νυνὶ δὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται ἐκ νεκρῶν, ἀπαρχὴ τῶν κεκοιμημένων.

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Triumphant reversalΝυνὶ δέThe decisive 'but now': leaving the hypothetical behind, Paul affirms the fact — Christ is risen, and as 'firstfruits' he guarantees a coming harvest of the dead.
Νυνὶbut nowadverb (logical 'now')νυνί: emphatic 'now'; here logical rather than temporal — 'but as things actually are.'
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ΧριστὸςChristNominativesubject
ἐγήγερταιhas been raisedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ intensive perfect (the abiding fact)ἐγείρω: the perfect now asserted positively — the risen Christ stands as permanent reality.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
νεκρῶνthe deadGenitiveobject of ἐκ
ἀπαρχὴfirstfruitsNominativepredicate nom. / apposition to Χριστόςἀπαρχή: 'firstfruits'; the first portion of harvest consecrated to God (Lev 23), pledging and sanctifying the whole crop to follow.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κεκοιμημένωνwho have fallen asleepPerf Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · κοιμάομαιsubstantival participle (genitive)→ intensive perfect (abiding state)κοιμάομαι: 'fall asleep'; the perfect — those who lie asleep, awaiting their harvest after the firstfruits.
21

ἐπειδὴ γὰρ δι' ἀνθρώπου θάνατος, καὶ δι' ἀνθρώπου ἀνάστασις νεκρῶν·

For since through a man came death, through a man also came the resurrection of the dead.

Ground (Adam–Christ parallel)γάρThe logic of 'firstfruits': as death entered humanity through one man (Adam), so resurrection comes through one man (Christ) — corporate representatives both.
ἐπειδὴsincecausal conjunctionἐπειδή: 'since, because'; introduces the reasoned ground.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (agency)
ἀνθρώπουa manGenitiveobject of διά (agency)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, human'; Adam — humanity's first head, through whom death entered (Gen 3).
θάνατοςdeathNominativesubject (verb 'came' supplied)θάνατος: 'death'; the great enemy, here traced to its human origin.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
δι'throughpreposition + genitive (agency)
ἀνθρώπουa manGenitiveobject of διά (agency)ἄνθρωπος: here Christ — the second man, through whom resurrection comes.
ἀνάστασιςresurrectionNominativesubject (verb 'came' supplied)ἀνάστασις: 'resurrection'; the answering remedy to death.
νεκρῶνof the deadGenitiveobjective genitive
22

ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐν τῷ Ἀδὰμ πάντες ἀποθνῄσκουσιν, οὕτως καὶ ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ πάντες ζῳοποιηθήσονται.

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Ground (Adam–Christ parallel)γάρThe parallel made explicit and corporate: 'in Adam' all die; 'in Christ' all will be made alive — two solidarities, two destinies, each through union with its head.
ὥσπερascomparative conjunctionὥσπερ: 'just as'; sets up the precise correspondence.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἈδὰμAdamDativedat. of union (indeclinable)Ἀδάμ: Adam; humanity's first representative head — being 'in Adam' is to share his death.
πάντεςallNominativesubjectπᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope within each sphere.
ἀποθνῄσκουσινdiePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ gnomic presentἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the gnomic present states a universal truth of fallen humanity.
οὕτωςsoadverb (manner)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union)
τῷtheDativearticle
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of unionΧριστός: the second representative head; 'all in Christ' (all united to him) will be made alive.
πάντεςallNominativesubjectπᾶς: 'all' — i.e. all who belong to Christ (the parallel runs by representation, each 'all' bounded by its head).
ζῳοποιηθήσονταιwill be made aliveFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ζῳοποιέωmain verb→ predictive futureζῳοποιέω: 'make alive, give life' (ζωή + ποιέω); resurrection as the impartation of life by God in Christ.
23

ἕκαστος δὲ ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ τάγματι· ἀπαρχὴ Χριστός, ἔπειτα οἱ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ αὐτοῦ·

But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ;

Qualification (ordered sequence)δέThe resurrection unfolds in stages — 'each in his own rank': first Christ the firstfruits, then his people at his parousia. A military/agricultural ordering.
ἕκαστοςeachNominativesubject (distributive)ἕκαστος: 'each one'; the resurrection comes person by person according to rank.
δὲbutcontinuative conjunction
ἐνinpreposition + dative
τῷtheDativearticle
ἰδίῳownDativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own'; each in his proper place.
τάγματιorder/rankDativedat. of sphereτάγμα: 'order, rank, division' (military term); the appointed sequence of the resurrection.
ἀπαρχὴfirstfruitsNominativepredicate nom. / appositionἀπαρχή: 'firstfruits'; Christ leads the sequence (cf. v.20).
ΧριστόςChristNominativesubject (first rank)
ἔπειταthenadverb (sequence)ἔπειτα: 'thereafter'; the second rank follows.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantival)
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivepossessive genitive (those belonging to)οἱ τοῦ Χριστοῦ: 'those of Christ' — his people, raised at his coming.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
τῇtheDativearticle
παρουσίᾳcomingDativedat. of timeπαρουσία: 'arrival, presence, coming'; the technical term for Christ's royal advent — the moment of the believers' resurrection.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
24

εἶτα τὸ τέλος, ὅταν παραδιδῷ τὴν βασιλείαν τῷ θεῷ καὶ πατρί, ὅταν καταργήσῃ πᾶσαν ἀρχὴν καὶ πᾶσαν ἐξουσίαν καὶ δύναμιν.

then the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has abolished every rule and every authority and power.

Sequence (the consummation)εἶταThe final stage: 'the end,' when Christ delivers the kingdom to the Father, having destroyed every hostile power. The temporal clauses set the conditions of that handover.
εἶταthenadverb (sequence)εἶτα: 'then, next'; the third and final stage in the ordered sequence.
τὸtheNominativearticle
τέλοςendNominativesubject (verb supplied)τέλος: 'end, goal, consummation'; not mere cessation but the appointed climax of history.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subj.)ὅταν: 'whenever, when'; introduces the indefinite-time clauses.
παραδιδῷhe hands overPres Act Subj 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιverb (temporal clause)→ present subjunctive (process)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver'; the Son surrenders the mediatorial kingdom to the Father.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect objectβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the rule Christ exercises until all enemies are subdued.
τῷtheDativearticle
θεῷGodDativeindirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (hendiadys)
πατρίFatherDativeapposition to θεῷπατήρ: 'Father'; 'God and Father' = the one to whom the kingdom returns.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subj.)
καταργήσῃhe has abolishedAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καταργέωverb (temporal clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveκαταργέω: 'render ineffective, abolish, bring to nothing'; a key Pauline verb — every rival power is reduced to impotence.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective
ἀρχὴνruleAccusativedirect objectἀρχή: 'rule, ruler, principality'; cosmic/spiritual powers as well as earthly.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective
ἐξουσίανauthorityAccusativedirect objectἐξουσία: 'authority, power'; another term for the hostile powers Christ subdues.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δύναμινpowerAccusativedirect objectδύναμις: 'power, might'; the triad ἀρχή/ἐξουσία/δύναμις sweeps up all opposing forces.
25

δεῖ γὰρ αὐτὸν βασιλεύειν ἄχρι οὗ θῇ πάντας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ.

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

Ground (Ps 110:1)γάρThe necessity of the reign, grounded in Psalm 110:1: Christ must reign until every enemy is subjugated beneath his feet — the divine 'must' (δεῖ) of prophecy.
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb→ stative present (divine necessity)δεῖ: 'it is necessary, must'; the impersonal of divinely-ordained necessity.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
βασιλεύεινto reignPres Act Inf · βασιλεύωcomplementary infinitive (of δεῖ)→ progressive presentβασιλεύω: 'reign, be king'; Christ's present mediatorial reign, continuing until the conquest is complete.
ἄχριuntilconjunction (temporal, w/ οὗ)ἄχρι οὗ: 'until the time when'; marks the term of the reign.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (in ἄχρι οὗ)
θῇhe has putAor Act Subj 3 Sg · τίθημιverb (temporal clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveτίθημι: 'place, put'; echoing Ps 110:1 LXX — the enemies set beneath the feet.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἐχθροὺςenemiesAccusativedirect objectἐχθρός: 'enemy, hostile one'; all that opposes God's reign, climaxing in death (v.26).
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (place)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πόδαςfeetAccusativeobject of ὑπόπούς: 'foot'; 'under the feet' — the image of total conquest and subjugation (Ps 110:1).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
26

ἔσχατος ἐχθρὸς καταργεῖται ὁ θάνατος·

The last enemy to be abolished is death.

Climactic identificationasyndetonThe supreme enemy named: death itself. Its abolition is the climax of Christ's reign — and the very point at issue with the Corinthian deniers.
ἔσχατοςlastNominativepredicate/attributive adjectiveἔσχατος: 'last, final'; death is the final foe to fall — fittingly, since resurrection is its undoing.
ἐχθρὸςenemyNominativepredicate nominativeἐχθρός: 'enemy'; death personified as a hostile power, not a natural friend.
καταργεῖταιis abolishedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταργέωmain verb→ futuristic present (certain outcome)καταργέω: 'abolish, destroy, bring to nought'; the present expresses the certainty of death's coming abolition.
theNominativearticle
θάνατοςdeathNominativesubject (in apposition to ἔσχατος ἐχθρός)θάνατος: 'death'; the arch-enemy whose defeat resurrection accomplishes.
27

πάντα γὰρ ὑπέταξεν ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ. ὅταν δὲ εἴπῃ ὅτι πάντα ὑποτέτακται, δῆλον ὅτι ἐκτὸς τοῦ ὑποτάξαντος αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα.

For "he has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says that all things are subjected, it is clear that this excludes the one who subjected all things to him.

Scriptural proof (Ps 8:6) + qualificationγάρPsalm 8:6 is cited as proof of universal subjection — but Paul carefully qualifies: 'all things' cannot include the Father, who is himself the subjector. This guards the Father's supremacy for v.28.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (fronted)πᾶς: 'all'; from Ps 8:6 — everything placed under his dominion.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ὑπέταξενhe put in subjectionAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑποτάσσωmain verb (Scripture citation)→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'subject, subordinate, place under'; from Ps 8:6 LXX — the subject is God (the Father).
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
πόδαςfeetAccusativeobject of ὑπόπούς: 'foot'; same image as Ps 110 — total subjection.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subj.)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
εἴπῃit saysAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λέγωverb (temporal clause; Scripture as subject)→ constative aorist subjunctiveλέγω: 'say'; the subject is the Scripture (or God in it) — 'when it says.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject
ὑποτέτακταιare subjectedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὑποτάσσωverb (content clause)→ intensive perfect (settled subjection)ὑποτάσσω: the perfect — the subjection stands as accomplished fact.
δῆλονit is clearNominativepredicate adj. (impersonal; 'it is')δῆλος: 'clear, evident'; introduces the necessary qualification.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
ἐκτὸςexceptimproper preposition + genitive (exclusion)ἐκτός: 'outside, except'; 'all things' excludes the One who does the subjecting.
τοῦthe (one)Genitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὑποτάξαντοςwho subjectedAor Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · ὑποτάσσωsubstantival participle (object of ἐκτός)→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: 'subject'; the participle designates the Father, the agent of the subjection.
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of indirect object
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (of ptc.)
28

ὅταν δὲ ὑποταγῇ αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα, τότε καὶ αὐτὸς ὁ υἱὸς ὑποταγήσεται τῷ ὑποτάξαντι αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα, ἵνα ᾖ ὁ θεὸς πάντα ἐν πᾶσιν.

And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.

Goal / consummationδέThe ultimate goal: when the Son's saving conquest is complete, he subjects himself to the Father — not in inferiority of being but in the consummate ordering of redemption — 'that God may be all in all.'
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subj.)
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
ὑποταγῇare subjectedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ὑποτάσσωverb (temporal clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveὑποτάσσω: the completed subjection of all things.
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of indirect object
τὰtheNominativearticle
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject
τότεthenadverb (time)τότε: 'then, at that time'; the moment of final consummation.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (with ὁ υἱός)αὐτός: intensive 'himself'; emphasizes that even the Son enters this ordered subjection.
theNominativearticle
υἱὸςSonNominativesubjectυἱός: 'Son'; the only use of the absolute title 'the Son' in this letter — the redeemer's self-subordination.
ὑποταγήσεταιwill be subjectedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὑποτάσσωmain verb→ predictive futureὑποτάσσω: the Son's voluntary subjection — functional, within the economy of salvation, not a denial of his deity.
τῷto the (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ὑποτάξαντιwho subjectedAor Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · ὑποτάσσωsubstantival participle (indirect object)→ constative aoristὑποτάσσω: the Father, the subjector of all.
αὐτῷto himDativedat. of indirect object
τὰtheAccusativearticle
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (of ptc.)
ἵναthatconjunction (purpose)ἵνα: 'in order that'; the final purpose of the whole drama.
may bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb (purpose clause)→ stative present subjunctive
theNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubject
πάνταallNominativepredicate (adverbial 'all in all')πάντα ἐν πᾶσιν: 'all in all' — God's unrivalled, all-pervading sovereignty, the goal of redemption.
ἐνinpreposition + dative
πᾶσινallDativeobject of ἐν (substantival)
29

Ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν; εἰ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, τί καὶ βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν;

Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized on their behalf?

Ad hominem argumentἘπείPaul resumes the refutation with a practice-based argument: a Corinthian custom of being 'baptized for the dead' is self-refuting if the dead are not raised — whatever its exact nature, it presupposes resurrection hope.
Ἐπεὶotherwiseconjunction (causal/elliptical 'since otherwise')ἐπεί: 'since'; here elliptical — 'since (otherwise, if not so)' introducing a counterfactual challenge.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative (object of ποιήσουσιν)
ποιήσουσινwill they doFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ deliberative futureποιέω: 'do, accomplish'; 'what will they achieve' — the practice would be pointless.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
βαπτιζόμενοιwho are baptizedPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · βαπτίζωsubstantival participle (subject)→ progressive presentβαπτίζω: 'baptize, immerse'; the much-debated practice 'for the dead' — Paul cites it without endorsing, as an argument from his opponents' own behavior.
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive (benefit)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of, for'; the precise sense ('for the benefit of'? 'because of'?) is uncertain.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
νεκρῶνdeadGenitiveobject of ὑπέρνεκρός: 'dead'; the practice would be senseless if death were final.
εἰifconditional conjunction
ὅλωςat alladverb (degree)ὅλως: 'at all, completely'; presses the opponents' absolute denial.
νεκροὶthe deadNominativesubject
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγείρονταιare raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb (protasis)→ gnomic present
τίwhyinterrogative (adverbial 'why')
καὶthenadverbial conjunction (emphatic)
βαπτίζονταιare they baptizedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · βαπτίζωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ progressive present
ὑπὲρon behalf ofpreposition + genitive
αὐτῶνthemGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
30

τί καὶ ἡμεῖς κινδυνεύομεν πᾶσαν ὥραν;

And why are we in danger every hour?

Ad hominem (Paul's own peril)asyndetonA second argument from practice — his own: why endure constant mortal danger for the gospel if there is no resurrection reward?
τίwhyinterrogative (adverbial)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic)
κινδυνεύομενare in dangerPres Act Indic 1 Pl · κινδυνεύωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ customary presentκινδυνεύω: 'be in danger, run risk'; Paul's life of perpetual peril for the gospel (cf. 2 Cor 11).
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective
ὥρανhourAccusativeaccusative of time (extent/duration)ὥρα: 'hour'; 'every hour' — danger without ceasing.
31

καθ' ἡμέραν ἀποθνῄσκω, νὴ τὴν ὑμετέραν καύχησιν, ἀδελφοί, ἣν ἔχω ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν.

I die every day — I affirm it by my boasting in you, brothers, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Intensification (oath)asyndetonAn emphatic oath ('by my boasting in you') underlines the relentless mortal danger — Paul figuratively dies daily; such a life would be madness without resurrection.
καθ'everypreposition + accusative (distributive)κατά + acc.: distributive, 'day by day.'
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeobject of κατά (distributive)ἡμέρα: 'day'; καθ' ἡμέραν = 'daily.'
ἀποθνῄσκωI diePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ customary present (hyperbolic)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; a vivid hyperbole — Paul faces death so constantly he 'dies daily.'
νὴbyparticle of affirmation (oath)νή: a particle of strong affirmation in oaths, taking the accusative — 'yes, by …!'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ὑμετέρανin you / yourAccusativepossessive adjective (objective sense)ὑμέτερος: 'your'; here objective — 'my boasting about you.'
καύχησινboastingAccusativeobject of νή (oath)καύχησις: 'boasting, exultation'; the pride Paul takes in the Corinthians as the object he swears by.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of address
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔχω)
ἔχωI havePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
ΧριστῷChristDativedat. of sphere
ἸησοῦJesusDativeapposition
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativeapposition (title)κύριος: 'Lord'; Paul's boasting is grounded in Christ, not himself.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
32

εἰ κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ἐθηριομάχησα ἐν Ἐφέσῳ, τί μοι τὸ ὄφελος; εἰ νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, φάγωμεν καὶ πίωμεν, αὔριον γὰρ ἀποθνῄσκομεν.

If, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what do I gain? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

Ad hominem + reductioasyndetonPaul's struggle at Ephesus would profit nothing without resurrection; and the denial logically collapses into the hedonist's creed (Isa 22:13) — eat, drink, for tomorrow we die.
εἰifconditional conjunction
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)κατὰ ἄνθρωπον: 'in a merely human way, from a human standpoint' — i.e. with only earthly motives.
ἄνθρωπονa man / human termsAccusativeobject of κατά
ἐθηριομάχησαI fought with beastsAor Act Indic 1 Sg · θηριομαχέωmain verb (protasis)→ constative aoristθηριομαχέω: 'fight wild beasts' (θηρίον + μάχομαι); probably metaphorical of fierce human opposition at Ephesus, or literal arena peril.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)
ἘφέσῳEphesusDativedat. of placeἜφεσος: Ephesus, where Paul was writing/ministering amid grave dangers (cf. Acts 19; 2 Cor 1:8).
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative (subject)
μοιto meDativedat. of advantage
τὸtheNominativearticle
ὄφελοςgain/benefitNominativesubject (predicate of question)ὄφελος: 'advantage, profit'; without resurrection, such suffering is pure loss.
εἰifconditional conjunction
νεκροὶthe deadNominativesubject
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐγείρονταιare raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb (protasis)→ gnomic present
φάγωμενlet us eatAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἐσθίωhortatory subjunctive (Isa 22:13 citation)→ ingressive aorist subjunctiveἐσθίω: 'eat'; the cynic's slogan from Isa 22:13 LXX — if death ends all, indulge now.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πίωμενdrinkAor Act Subj 1 Pl · πίνωhortatory subjunctive→ ingressive aorist subjunctiveπίνω: 'drink'; the second half of the hedonist motto.
αὔριονtomorrowadverb (time)αὔριον: 'tomorrow'; the imminence that excuses indulgence in the denier's logic.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀποθνῄσκομενwe diePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ futuristic presentἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the futuristic present — 'tomorrow we (shall) die,' and that is the end.
33

μὴ πλανᾶσθε· φθείρουσιν ἤθη χρηστὰ ὁμιλίαι κακαί.

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

Exhortation (warning)asyndetonA sharp pastoral turn: the resurrection-deniers' influence is morally corrosive. Paul quotes a proverb (from Menander) — bad company ruins good character.
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
πλανᾶσθεbe deceivedPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πλανάωprohibition (present imperative)→ imperative (cease/do not be)πλανάω: 'lead astray, deceive'; μὴ πλανᾶσθε is a stock warning formula — 'stop being deceived.'
φθείρουσινcorruptPres Act Indic 3 Pl · φθείρωmain verb (proverb)→ gnomic presentφθείρω: 'corrupt, ruin, destroy'; the gnomic present of a maxim.
ἤθηmorals/characterAccusativedirect objectἦθος: 'custom, character, morals'; settled moral habits.
χρηστὰgoodAccusativeattributive adjectiveχρηστός: 'good, useful, virtuous'; sound character is what is endangered.
ὁμιλίαιcompany/associationsNominativesubjectὁμιλία: 'association, companionship, conversation'; the company one keeps.
κακαίbadNominativeattributive adjectiveκακός: 'bad, evil'; the proverb (attributed to Menander's Thais) warns against corrupting fellowship.
34

ἐκνήψατε δικαίως καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε, ἀγνωσίαν γὰρ θεοῦ τινες ἔχουσιν· πρὸς ἐντροπὴν ὑμῖν λαλῶ.

Sober up righteously and do not sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

Exhortation (call to soberness)asyndetonA bracing command: 'sober up' from the intoxication of error, stop sinning — for the denial betrays ignorance of God. Paul speaks bluntly, to shame them into clarity.
ἐκνήψατεsober upAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐκνήφωimperative (aorist)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἐκνήφω: 'become sober, wake from a drunken stupor'; a vivid call to shake off the befuddlement of false teaching.
δικαίωςrighteouslyadverb (manner)δικαίως: 'rightly, justly, as you ought'; the manner of the sobering — into right thinking and living.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)
ἁμαρτάνετεsinPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἁμαρτάνωprohibition (present imperative)→ imperative (stop/do not)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin, miss the mark'; the present prohibition — 'stop sinning' or 'do not go on sinning.'
ἀγνωσίανignoranceAccusativedirect object (fronted)ἀγνωσία: 'ignorance, want of knowledge' (cf. agnostic); a culpable not-knowing of God.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
θεοῦof GodGenitiveobjective genitive
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite)τις: 'some'; the resurrection-deniers, whose error reveals ignorance of God's power.
ἔχουσινhavePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold.'
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)πρὸς ἐντροπήν: 'with a view to shame' — purpose.
ἐντροπὴνshameAccusativeobject of πρός (purpose)ἐντροπή: 'shame, embarrassment'; Paul aims to provoke a healthy, corrective shame.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of disadvantage/reference
λαλῶI speakPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λαλέωmain verb→ progressive presentλαλέω: 'speak'; Paul's frank pastoral candor.
35

Ἀλλὰ ἐρεῖ τις· Πῶς ἐγείρονται οἱ νεκροί; ποίῳ δὲ σώματι ἔρχονται;

But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?"

Objection (diatribe)ἈλλὰA diatribe-style objection introduces the body section: How (by what means) and with what kind of body? Paul will answer the second question first, then the first.
Ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (transition)ἀλλά: 'but'; introduces the imagined interlocutor's challenge.
ἐρεῖwill sayFut Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ predictive futureλέγω (fut. ἐρεῖ): 'will say'; the diatribe formula introducing an objector.
τιςsomeoneNominativesubject (indefinite)τις: 'someone'; a hypothetical questioner.
Πῶςhowinterrogative adverbπῶς: 'how?'; by what means is resurrection conceivable?
ἐγείρονταιare raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb (question)→ gnomic present
οἱtheNominativearticle
νεκροίdeadNominativesubjectνεκρός: 'dead (ones).'
ποίῳwhat kind ofDativeinterrogative adjectiveποῖος: 'what sort of?'; asks the quality/kind of the resurrection body.
δὲandconnective conjunction
σώματιbodyDativedat. of manner/accompanimentσῶμα: 'body'; the keyword of the section — Paul affirms bodily resurrection, but transformed.
ἔρχονταιdo they comePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (question)→ futuristic presentἔρχομαι: 'come'; 'come (back, into being)' at the resurrection.
36

ἄφρων, σὺ ὃ σπείρεις οὐ ζῳοποιεῖται ἐὰν μὴ ἀποθάνῃ·

Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

Rebuke + analogy (the seed)asyndetonPaul answers with a horticultural analogy: the seed must 'die' (decompose) to spring up. Death is not the negation of resurrection life but its very threshold.
ἄφρωνfoolVocativevocative of address (rebuke)ἄφρων: 'senseless, foolish' (α-privative + φρήν); a sharp rebuke to the objector's shortsightedness.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic)
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of σπείρεις)
σπείρειςyou sowPres Act Indic 2 Sg · σπείρωmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic presentσπείρω: 'sow (seed)'; the controlling agricultural metaphor for burial and resurrection.
οὐnotnegative particle
ζῳοποιεῖταιcomes to lifePres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ζῳοποιέωmain verb→ gnomic presentζῳοποιέω: 'make alive'; the seed is quickened only through its dying.
ἐὰνunlessconditional conjunction (+ subj.)ἐὰν μή: 'unless, except.'
μὴnotnegative particle
ἀποθάνῃit diesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωverb (protasis)→ constative aorist subjunctiveἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the seed's decay — death as the precondition of new life (cf. Jn 12:24).
37

καὶ ὃ σπείρεις, οὐ τὸ σῶμα τὸ γενησόμενον σπείρεις ἀλλὰ γυμνὸν κόκκον εἰ τύχοι σίτου ἤ τινος τῶν λοιπῶν·

And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare grain — perhaps of wheat or of some other kind;

Analogy developed (continuity & difference)καίThe analogy's point: what is sown (a bare seed) is not identical in form to what arises (the plant). There is continuity of identity but transformation of form.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (object)
σπείρειςyou sowPres Act Indic 2 Sg · σπείρωmain verb (rel. clause)→ gnomic present
οὐnotnegative particle
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σῶμαbodyAccusativedirect objectσῶμα: 'body'; here the full-grown plant — the future form, not what is sown.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γενησόμενονthat is to beFut Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · γίνομαιattributive participle (future)→ futuristicγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the future participle — the body that will emerge.
σπείρειςyou sowPres Act Indic 2 Sg · σπείρωmain verb→ gnomic present
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
γυμνὸνbareAccusativeattributive adjectiveγυμνός: 'naked, bare'; the seed stripped of the body it will acquire.
κόκκονgrain/seedAccusativedirect objectκόκκος: 'kernel, grain, seed'; the small bare seed sown.
εἰifconjunction (in idiom εἰ τύχοι)
τύχοιit may chanceAor Act Opt 3 Sg · τυγχάνωverb (idiom εἰ τύχοι = 'perhaps')→ potential optativeτυγχάνω: 'happen, chance'; εἰ τύχοι is an idiom, 'it may be, for example, perhaps.'
σίτουof wheatGenitivegenitive (kind/material)σῖτος: 'wheat, grain'; one example of seed.
ordisjunctive conjunction
τινοςsomeGenitiveindefinite pronoun (genitive)
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
λοιπῶνrestGenitivepartitive genitive (substantival)λοιπός: 'remaining, other'; 'some other (seed).'
38

ὁ δὲ θεὸς δίδωσιν αὐτῷ σῶμα καθὼς ἠθέλησεν, καὶ ἑκάστῳ τῶν σπερμάτων ἴδιον σῶμα.

But God gives it a body as he has willed, and to each kind of seed its own body.

Theological grounding (God the body-giver)δέThe decisive agent is God: he sovereignly gives each seed its appropriate body. So too the resurrection body is God's free, fitting gift — no problem to his power.
theNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God — the sovereign giver of bodily form.
δίδωσινgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ gnomic presentδίδωμι: 'give'; God grants the body — resurrection is gift, not natural self-continuance.
αὐτῷitDativeindirect object
σῶμαa bodyAccusativedirect objectσῶμα: 'body'; the form God assigns to each seed.
καθὼςascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, according as'; the body conforms to God's will.
ἠθέλησενhe willedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristθέλω: 'will, wish'; God's sovereign determination of each form (cf. Gen 1, 'after their kind').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἑκάστῳto eachDativeindirect object (distributive)ἕκαστος: 'each'; every kind of seed has its own appointed body.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
σπερμάτωνseedsGenitivepartitive genitiveσπέρμα: 'seed'; the variety of seeds matched by a variety of bodies.
ἴδιονits ownAccusativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own, proper'; each gets the body proper to it.
σῶμαbodyAccusativedirect object (verb 'gives' supplied)
39

οὐ πᾶσα σὰρξ ἡ αὐτὴ σάρξ, ἀλλὰ ἄλλη μὲν ἀνθρώπων, ἄλλη δὲ σὰρξ κτηνῶν, ἄλλη δὲ σὰρξ πτηνῶν, ἄλλη δὲ ἰχθύων.

Not all flesh is the same flesh, but there is one kind for humans, another flesh for animals, another flesh for birds, and another for fish.

Illustration (diversity of flesh)asyndetonGod's creative repertoire is varied: 'flesh' itself comes in many kinds. If God can fashion such diverse earthly bodies, a resurrection body is no difficulty.
οὐnotnegative particle
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective
σὰρξfleshNominativesubjectσάρξ: 'flesh'; here simply physical, animate substance — varied by kind.
theNominativearticle
αὐτὴsameNominativepredicate (identical) adjectiveαὐτός: 'same'; not one undifferentiated flesh.
σάρξfleshNominativepredicate nominative
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἄλληone (kind)Nominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἄλλος: 'another'; ἄλλη … ἄλλη = 'one … another' — distributing the kinds of flesh.
μὲνon one handparticle (correlative μέν … δέ)
ἀνθρώπωνof humansGenitivepossessive/descriptive genitiveἄνθρωπος: 'human'; human flesh, the highest earthly kind.
ἄλληanotherNominativesubject (substantival adj.)
δὲandcorrelative conjunction
σὰρξfleshNominativesubject
κτηνῶνof animalsGenitivedescriptive genitiveκτῆνος: 'beast, domestic animal, cattle.'
ἄλληanotherNominativesubject (substantival adj.)
δὲandcorrelative conjunction
σὰρξfleshNominativesubject
πτηνῶνof birdsGenitivedescriptive genitiveπτηνόν: 'bird, winged creature' (cf. πτερόν, 'wing').
ἄλληanotherNominativesubject (substantival adj.)
δὲandcorrelative conjunction
ἰχθύωνof fishGenitivedescriptive genitiveἰχθύς: 'fish'; the fourth kind, matching the creation orders of Gen 1.
40

καὶ σώματα ἐπουράνια, καὶ σώματα ἐπίγεια· ἀλλὰ ἑτέρα μὲν ἡ τῶν ἐπουρανίων δόξα, ἑτέρα δὲ ἡ τῶν ἐπιγείων.

There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.

Illustration (heavenly vs earthly glory)καίA further step: bodies differ not only in kind but in glory. Heavenly and earthly bodies each have their own splendor — preparing the contrast of the resurrection body's glory.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σώματαbodiesNominativesubject (existential 'there are')σῶμα: 'body'; now extended to celestial as well as terrestrial bodies.
ἐπουράνιαheavenlyNominativeattributive adjectiveἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly, celestial' (ἐπί + οὐρανός); sun, moon, stars (v.41).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
σώματαbodiesNominativesubject
ἐπίγειαearthlyNominativeattributive adjectiveἐπίγειος: 'earthly, terrestrial' (ἐπί + γῆ).
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἑτέραof one kindNominativepredicate adjectiveἕτερος: 'other, different in kind'; ἑτέρα … ἑτέρα distinguishes the two glories qualitatively.
μὲνon one handparticle (correlative)
theNominativearticle
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (substantival)
ἐπουρανίωνheavenly (bodies)Genitivepossessive genitive (substantival)
δόξαgloryNominativesubjectδόξα: 'glory, splendor, radiance'; the keyword now — each body has its proper splendor.
ἑτέραof another kindNominativepredicate adjective
δὲandcorrelative conjunction
theNominativearticle
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (substantival)
ἐπιγείωνearthly (bodies)Genitivepossessive genitive (substantival)
41

ἄλλη δόξα ἡλίου, καὶ ἄλλη δόξα σελήνης, καὶ ἄλλη δόξα ἀστέρων· ἀστὴρ γὰρ ἀστέρος διαφέρει ἐν δόξῃ.

There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

Illustration (gradations of glory)asyndetonEven among the heavenly bodies, glory varies — sun, moon, stars, and star from star. God multiplies splendors; the resurrection body will have its own surpassing glory.
ἄλληoneNominativeattributive adjectiveἄλλος: 'another'; distributing glories among the luminaries.
δόξαgloryNominativesubjectδόξα: 'glory, brightness'; of the sun.
ἡλίουof the sunGenitivepossessive genitiveἥλιος: 'sun'; the brightest, its own order of glory.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἄλληanotherNominativeattributive adjective
δόξαgloryNominativesubject
σελήνηςof the moonGenitivepossessive genitiveσελήνη: 'moon'; a lesser glory.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἄλληanotherNominativeattributive adjective
δόξαgloryNominativesubject
ἀστέρωνof the starsGenitivepossessive genitiveἀστήρ: 'star'; varied glories among the stars themselves.
ἀστὴρstarNominativesubject
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀστέροςfrom starGenitivegenitive of comparison/separation (w/ διαφέρει)ἀστήρ: 'star'; 'star differs from star.'
διαφέρειdiffersPres Act Indic 3 Sg · διαφέρωmain verb→ gnomic presentδιαφέρω: 'differ, be distinct'; even like things differ in glory.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect)
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of respectδόξα: 'glory'; the respect in which stars differ.
42

Οὕτως καὶ ἡ ἀνάστασις τῶν νεκρῶν. σπείρεται ἐν φθορᾷ, ἐγείρεται ἐν ἀφθαρσίᾳ·

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.

Application (first antithesis)ΟὕτωςThe analogies converge on the point: the resurrection works a transformation. First antithesis — sown perishable, raised imperishable. Four sown/raised pairs follow.
Οὕτωςsoadverb (manner, drawing the application)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; applies the seed/glory analogies to the resurrection.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
theNominativearticle
ἀνάστασιςresurrectionNominativesubjectἀνάστασις: 'resurrection'; the topic now directly addressed.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
νεκρῶνdeadGenitiveobjective genitive
σπείρεταιit is sownPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · σπείρωmain verb→ gnomic presentσπείρω: 'sow'; here the burial of the body — 'sown' like a seed.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state/condition)
φθορᾷcorruptionDativedat. of stateφθορά: 'decay, corruption, perishability'; the body subject to decomposition.
ἐγείρεταιit is raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ gnomic/futuristic presentἐγείρω: 'raise'; the resurrection-keyword, the divine reversal of decay.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state/condition)
ἀφθαρσίᾳincorruptionDativedat. of stateἀφθαρσία: 'incorruptibility, immortality' (α-privative + φθορά); the imperishable resurrection state.
43

σπείρεται ἐν ἀτιμίᾳ, ἐγείρεται ἐν δόξῃ· σπείρεται ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ, ἐγείρεται ἐν δυνάμει·

It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

Application (second & third antitheses)asyndetonTwo more antitheses: dishonor/glory and weakness/power. The mortal body's humiliation and frailty give way to the resurrection body's splendor and might.
σπείρεταιit is sownPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · σπείρωmain verb→ gnomic present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state)
ἀτιμίᾳdishonorDativedat. of stateἀτιμία: 'dishonor, humiliation' (α-privative + τιμή); the indignity of the corpse.
ἐγείρεταιit is raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ gnomic/futuristic present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state)
δόξῃgloryDativedat. of stateδόξα: 'glory'; the resurrection body shares Christ's glory (cf. Phil 3:21).
σπείρεταιit is sownPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · σπείρωmain verb→ gnomic present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state)
ἀσθενείᾳweaknessDativedat. of stateἀσθένεια: 'weakness, frailty'; the mortal body's infirmity.
ἐγείρεταιit is raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ gnomic/futuristic present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (state)
δυνάμειpowerDativedat. of stateδύναμις: 'power, might'; the resurrection body is vigorous, deathless, Spirit-empowered.
44

σπείρεται σῶμα ψυχικόν, ἐγείρεται σῶμα πνευματικόν. εἰ ἔστιν σῶμα ψυχικόν, ἔστιν καὶ πνευματικόν.

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one.

Application (fourth antithesis + inference)asyndetonThe climactic antithesis: a 'soulish'/natural body sown, a 'spiritual' body raised — not immaterial, but a body animated and fitted for the Spirit's realm. The existence of the one implies the other.
σπείρεταιit is sownPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · σπείρωmain verb→ gnomic present
σῶμαa bodyNominativepredicate nominative (with verb)σῶμα: 'body'; the resurrection is bodily throughout — Paul never abandons σῶμα.
ψυχικόνnatural/soulishNominativeattributive adjectiveψυχικός: 'natural, animated by the ψυχή (soul/life-principle)'; the body suited to natural earthly life (cf. Adam, v.45).
ἐγείρεταιit is raisedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ gnomic/futuristic present
σῶμαa bodyNominativepredicate nominative
πνευματικόνspiritualNominativeattributive adjectiveπνευματικός: 'spiritual, animated/governed by the πνεῦμα'; not non-physical but Spirit-empowered and -fitted.
εἰifconditional conjunction
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, protasis)→ stative present
σῶμαa bodyNominativesubject
ψυχικόνnaturalNominativeattributive adjective
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, apodosis)→ stative present
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
πνευματικόνspiritualNominativepredicate adjective (σῶμα supplied)
45

οὕτως καὶ γέγραπται· Ἐγένετο ὁ πρῶτος ἄνθρωπος Ἀδὰμ εἰς ψυχὴν ζῶσαν· ὁ ἔσχατος Ἀδὰμ εἰς πνεῦμα ζῳοποιοῦν.

So also it is written: "The first man Adam became a living soul"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Scriptural ground (Gen 2:7) + the two AdamsοὕτωςGenesis 2:7 grounds the two-body teaching in the two Adams: the first Adam a recipient of life ('a living soul'); the last Adam (Christ) a giver of life ('a life-giving spirit').
οὕτωςsoadverb (manner)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
γέγραπταιit is writtenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (citation formula)→ intensive perfect (standing record)γράφω: the perfect γέγραπται — 'it stands written'; the standard formula introducing Scripture.
ἘγένετοbecameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Gen 2:7 citation)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; Adam 'became' a living being — a derived, dependent life.
theNominativearticle
πρῶτοςfirstNominativeattributive adjectiveπρῶτος: 'first'; Adam as humanity's original head.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'man, human.'
ἈδὰμAdamNominativeapposition (indeclinable)Ἀδάμ: Adam; Hebrew 'man,' 'from the ground.'
εἰςapreposition + accusative (Semitic 'became')εἰς + acc.: a Semitism (LXX) for the predicate — 'became a living soul.'
ψυχὴνsoulAccusativepredicate accusative (object of εἰς)ψυχή: 'soul, life, living being'; cognate with ψυχικόν (v.44) — Adam's natural, animated life.
ζῶσανlivingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · ζάωattributive participle→ progressive presentζάω: 'live'; 'a living soul' — alive, but only receptively.
theNominativearticle
ἔσχατοςlastNominativeattributive adjectiveἔσχατος: 'last'; Christ, the eschatological head of the new humanity — Paul's coinage 'the last Adam.'
ἈδὰμAdamNominativesubject (indeclinable)
εἰςapreposition + accusative (predicate)
πνεῦμαspiritAccusativepredicate accusativeπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; cognate with πνευματικόν (v.44) — Christ as life-giving Spirit (cf. 2 Cor 3:17).
ζῳοποιοῦνlife-givingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Neut · ζῳοποιέωattributive participle→ progressive/characteristic presentζῳοποιέω: 'make alive'; the last Adam does not merely live but bestows life — the source of resurrection life.
46

ἀλλ' οὐ πρῶτον τὸ πνευματικὸν ἀλλὰ τὸ ψυχικόν, ἔπειτα τὸ πνευματικόν.

But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the natural, and then the spiritual.

Ordering correctionἀλλάThe God-given order is natural first, then spiritual — correcting any notion (perhaps the deniers') that the spiritual is the original or only reality. The pattern is sequence, not denial of the body.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
πρῶτονfirstadverb (sequence)πρῶτον: 'first'; the order is temporal — natural before spiritual.
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes adj.)
πνευματικὸνspiritualNominativesubject (substantival adj.)πνευματικός: 'spiritual'; not the starting point.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
ψυχικόνnaturalNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ψυχικός: 'natural'; the first, earthly stage.
ἔπειταthenadverb (sequence)ἔπειτα: 'afterward'; the spiritual follows the natural.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνευματικόνspiritualNominativesubject (substantival adj.)
47

ὁ πρῶτος ἄνθρωπος ἐκ γῆς χοϊκός, ὁ δεύτερος ἄνθρωπος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ.

The first man was from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven.

Contrast (origin of the two men)asyndetonThe two heads contrasted by origin: the first man earthy, of dust (Gen 2:7); the second man from heaven. Origin determines the kind of body and life each transmits.
theNominativearticle
πρῶτοςfirstNominativeattributive adjectiveπρῶτος: 'first'; Adam.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)γῆ: 'earth, ground'; Adam's origin in the dust (Gen 2:7).
χοϊκόςmade of dustNominativepredicate adjectiveχοϊκός: 'of dust, earthy' (from χοῦς, 'dust, soil'); the earthy nature shared by Adam's race.
theNominativearticle
δεύτεροςsecondNominativeattributive adjectiveδεύτερος: 'second'; Christ as 'the second man' — the new beginning.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἐξ (source)οὐρανός: 'heaven'; Christ's heavenly origin — the source of the spiritual, heavenly body.
48

οἷος ὁ χοϊκός, τοιοῦτοι καὶ οἱ χοϊκοί, καὶ οἷος ὁ ἐπουράνιος, τοιοῦτοι καὶ οἱ ἐπουράνιοι·

As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.

Corporate correspondenceasyndetonWhat is true of the head is true of those joined to him: the dusty are like Adam; the heavenly are like Christ. Solidarity of nature with one's representative.
οἷοςsuch asNominativecorrelative pronoun (quality)οἷος: 'of what sort'; οἷος … τοιοῦτος = 'as … so'.
theNominativearticle
χοϊκόςman of dustNominativesubject (substantival adj.)χοϊκός: 'the earthy one' — Adam.
τοιοῦτοιsuchNominativecorrelative pronoun (predicate)τοιοῦτος: 'such, of this kind'; answering οἷος.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantival)
χοϊκοίof the dustNominativesubject (substantival adj.)χοϊκός: 'earthy ones'; Adam's posterity, sharing his dusty nature.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἷοςsuch asNominativecorrelative pronoun
theNominativearticle
ἐπουράνιοςman of heavenNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἐπουράνιος: 'the heavenly one' — Christ.
τοιοῦτοιsuchNominativecorrelative pronoun (predicate)
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantival)
ἐπουράνιοιof heavenNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἐπουράνιος: 'heavenly ones'; Christ's people, destined to bear his heavenly likeness.
49

καὶ καθὼς ἐφορέσαμεν τὴν εἰκόνα τοῦ χοϊκοῦ, φορέσομεν καὶ τὴν εἰκόνα τοῦ ἐπουρανίου.

And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Promise (the coming likeness)καίThe believer's hope: as we have borne Adam's earthy image, we shall bear Christ's heavenly image — the destiny of conformity to the risen Lord (cf. Rom 8:29; Phil 3:21).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as'; sets up the comparison of borne images.
ἐφορέσαμενwe have borneAor Act Indic 1 Pl · φορέωmain verb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristφορέω: 'wear, bear (habitually)'; frequentative of φέρω — we have worn the earthy likeness.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
εἰκόναimageAccusativedirect objectεἰκών: 'image, likeness'; we are stamped with Adam's image (Gen 5:3).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
χοϊκοῦman of dustGenitivepossessive genitive (substantival adj.)χοϊκός: 'the earthy one' — Adam.
φορέσομενwe shall bearFut Act Indic 1 Pl · φορέωmain verb→ predictive futureφορέω: 'bear, wear'; the future promise — we shall wear Christ's heavenly likeness. (A widely-attested variant reads the hortatory subjunctive φορέσωμεν, 'let us bear.')
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
εἰκόναimageAccusativedirect objectεἰκών: 'image'; the glorified likeness of the risen Christ.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἐπουρανίουman of heavenGenitivepossessive genitive (substantival adj.)ἐπουράνιος: 'the heavenly one' — Christ.
50

Τοῦτο δέ φημι, ἀδελφοί, ὅτι σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα βασιλείαν θεοῦ κληρονομῆσαι οὐ δύναται, οὐδὲ ἡ φθορὰ τὴν ἀφθαρσίαν κληρονομεῖ.

Now this I say, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Thesis of the final movementδέThe necessity of transformation stated: mortal 'flesh and blood' as it now is cannot enter God's kingdom — the perishable cannot inherit the imperishable. Hence the mystery of change that follows.
ΤοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (cataphoric)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing forward to the declaration.
δέnowtransitional conjunction
φημιI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · φημίmain verb→ progressive presentφημί: 'say, declare'; a solemn assertion formula.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of address
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
σὰρξfleshNominativesubjectσάρξ: 'flesh'; 'flesh and blood' = mortal human nature in its present perishable state.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
αἷμαbloodNominativesubject (coordinate)αἷμα: 'blood'; the idiom 'flesh and blood' denotes frail mortal humanity (cf. Mt 16:17).
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect object (of κληρονομῆσαι)βασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the consummated realm of God.
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive genitive
κληρονομῆσαιto inheritAor Act Inf · κληρονομέωcomplementary infinitive (of δύναται)→ constative aoristκληρονομέω: 'inherit, obtain as one's possession'; entrance into the kingdom as covenant inheritance.
οὐnotnegative particle
δύναταιis ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ stative presentδύναμαι: 'be able'; the present perishable nature is incapable of inheriting — a transformation is required.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
theNominativearticle
φθορὰperishableNominativesubjectφθορά: 'corruption, perishability'; abstract for the corruptible body.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἀφθαρσίανimperishableAccusativedirect objectἀφθαρσία: 'incorruptibility'; the imperishable inheritance — unattainable by mere flesh and blood.
κληρονομεῖinheritsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κληρονομέωmain verb→ gnomic presentκληρονομέω: 'inherit'; the gnomic present of a general truth.
51

ἰδοὺ μυστήριον ὑμῖν λέγω· πάντες οὐ κοιμηθησόμεθα, πάντες δὲ ἀλλαγησόμεθα,

Behold! I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —

Revelation (the mystery)asyndetonAn attention-arresting disclosure of a 'mystery': not all believers will have died at the parousia, but all — living and dead — will be transformed. The change, not death, is universal.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'look! behold!'; a frozen imperatival particle, arresting attention for the revelation.
μυστήριονmysteryAccusativedirect objectμυστήριον: 'mystery'; a truth once hidden, now revealed by God — here the manner of the end-time transformation.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
λέγωI tellPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ progressive presentλέγω: 'say, tell.'
πάντεςallNominativesubjectπᾶς: 'all'; embracing the whole believing community.
οὐnotnegative particle
κοιμηθησόμεθαwe shall sleepFut Pass Indic 1 Pl · κοιμάομαιmain verb→ predictive futureκοιμάομαι: 'fall asleep, die'; 'not all will die' — some will be alive at the parousia.
πάντεςallNominativesubject
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἀλλαγησόμεθαwe shall be changedFut Pass Indic 1 Pl · ἀλλάσσωmain verb→ predictive futureἀλλάσσω: 'change, transform'; the universal necessity — every believer, dead or living, must be transformed for the kingdom.
52

ἐν ἀτόμῳ, ἐν ῥιπῇ ὀφθαλμοῦ, ἐν τῇ ἐσχάτῃ σάλπιγγι· σαλπίσει γάρ, καὶ οἱ νεκροὶ ἐγερθήσονται ἄφθαρτοι, καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀλλαγησόμεθα.

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

Explanation (manner & moment of the change)asyndetonThe transformation will be instantaneous, at the eschatological trumpet: the dead raised imperishable, the living changed. The 'last trumpet' signals the consummation.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ἀτόμῳa momentDativedat. of timeἄτομος: 'indivisible, uncuttable' (whence 'atom'); the smallest instant of time.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
ῥιπῇtwinklingDativedat. of timeῥιπή: 'a rapid movement, blink, dart' (from ῥίπτω, 'throw'); the flicker of an eye — instantaneous.
ὀφθαλμοῦof an eyeGenitivepossessive/descriptive genitiveὀφθαλμός: 'eye.'
ἐνatpreposition + dative (time)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐσχάτῃlastDativeattributive adjectiveἔσχατος: 'last'; the final, eschatological trumpet.
σάλπιγγιtrumpetDativedat. of timeσάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; the signal of God's decisive intervention (cf. 1 Thess 4:16; Ex 19:16).
σαλπίσειwill soundFut Act Indic 3 Sg · σαλπίζωmain verb (impersonal/'the trumpeter')→ predictive futureσαλπίζω: 'sound a trumpet'; impersonal — 'the trumpet will sound.'
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἱtheNominativearticle
νεκροὶdeadNominativesubjectνεκρός: 'dead (ones).'
ἐγερθήσονταιwill be raisedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐγείρωmain verb→ predictive futureἐγείρω: 'raise'; the resurrection-keyword in its decisive future — the dead raised imperishable.
ἄφθαρτοιimperishableNominativepredicate adjective (resultant state)ἄφθαρτος: 'incorruptible, imperishable' (α-privative + φθείρω); raised beyond the reach of decay.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic — the living)
ἀλλαγησόμεθαshall be changedFut Pass Indic 1 Pl · ἀλλάσσωmain verb→ predictive futureἀλλάσσω: 'change'; the living transformed without dying.
53

δεῖ γὰρ τὸ φθαρτὸν τοῦτο ἐνδύσασθαι ἀφθαρσίαν καὶ τὸ θνητὸν τοῦτο ἐνδύσασθαι ἀθανασίαν.

For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Ground (the necessity of the change)γάρThe reason transformation is necessary: the perishable, mortal body 'must' (δεῖ) be clothed with imperishability and immortality. The clothing metaphor preserves identity through change.
δεῖmustPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb→ stative present (necessity)δεῖ: 'it is necessary, must'; divine necessity of the transformation.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
φθαρτὸνperishableAccusativesubject of infinitive (substantival adj.)φθαρτός: 'perishable, corruptible'; the present body, liable to decay.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative adjectiveοὗτος: 'this'; pointedly 'this very body' — continuity, not replacement.
ἐνδύσασθαιto put onAor Mid Inf · ἐνδύωcomplementary infinitive (of δεῖ)→ constative aoristἐνδύω (mid.): 'put on, clothe oneself'; the body is 'clothed over' with new qualities — transformation, not discarding.
ἀφθαρσίανimperishabilityAccusativedirect objectἀφθαρσία: 'incorruptibility'; the new quality assumed.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
θνητὸνmortalAccusativesubject of infinitive (substantival adj.)θνητός: 'mortal, subject to death'; from θνῄσκω.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective
ἐνδύσασθαιto put onAor Mid Inf · ἐνδύωcomplementary infinitive (of δεῖ)→ constative aoristἐνδύω: 'clothe oneself.'
ἀθανασίανimmortalityAccusativedirect objectἀθανασία: 'immortality, deathlessness' (α-privative + θάνατος); God's own quality bestowed on the body.
54

ὅταν δὲ τὸ φθαρτὸν τοῦτο ἐνδύσηται ἀφθαρσίαν καὶ τὸ θνητὸν τοῦτο ἐνδύσηται ἀθανασίαν, τότε γενήσεται ὁ λόγος ὁ γεγραμμένος· Κατεπόθη ὁ θάνατος εἰς νῖκος.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the word that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

Fulfillment (Isa 25:8)δέAt the transformation, prophecy is fulfilled: Isaiah 25:8 — 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' The final enemy (v.26) is consumed; the great resurrection chapter reaches its triumph.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subj.)
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
φθαρτὸνperishableNominativesubject (substantival adj.)φθαρτός: 'perishable.'
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative adjective
ἐνδύσηταιputs onAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐνδύωverb (temporal clause)→ constative aorist subjunctiveἐνδύω: 'put on.'
ἀφθαρσίανimperishabilityAccusativedirect object
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheNominativearticle
θνητὸνmortalNominativesubject (substantival adj.)θνητός: 'mortal.'
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative adjective
ἐνδύσηταιputs onAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐνδύωverb (temporal clause)→ constative aorist subjunctive
ἀθανασίανimmortalityAccusativedirect object
τότεthenadverb (time)τότε: 'then'; the moment of fulfillment.
γενήσεταιshall come to passFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ predictive futureγίνομαι: 'come to pass, be fulfilled'; the prophetic word will become reality.
theNominativearticle
λόγοςwordNominativesubjectλόγος: 'word, saying'; the written Scripture about to be fulfilled.
theNominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γεγραμμένοςwrittenPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γράφωattributive participle→ intensive perfectγράφω: 'write'; the perfect — 'the word that stands written' (Isa 25:8).
Κατεπόθηis swallowed upAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταπίνωmain verb (Isa 25:8 citation)→ constative aorist (prophetic certainty)καταπίνω: 'swallow down, devour, engulf' (κατά + πίνω); death itself is utterly consumed.
theNominativearticle
θάνατοςdeathNominativesubjectθάνατος: 'death'; the last enemy (v.26), now devoured.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (result)εἰς νῖκος: 'unto victory, so as to result in victory' (a Semitism in the LXX-form of the citation).
νῖκοςvictoryAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)νῖκος: 'victory'; death's destruction is God's triumph.
55

ποῦ σου, θάνατε, τὸ νῖκος; ποῦ σου, θάνατε, τὸ κέντρον;

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

Triumphant taunt (Hos 13:14)asyndetonA triumphant taunt drawn from Hosea 13:14, addressed to the now-defeated death: where now is its victory, its sting? Mockery of the conquered enemy.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverbποῦ: 'where?'; the taunting question — death's power is gone.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
θάνατεO deathVocativevocative (direct address/apostrophe)θάνατος: 'death'; addressed as a defeated foe (Hos 13:14).
τὸtheNominativearticle
νῖκοςvictoryNominativesubject (predicate of question)νῖκος: 'victory'; death's vaunted conquest, now nowhere to be found.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive
θάνατεO deathVocativevocative (apostrophe)
τὸtheNominativearticle
κέντρονstingNominativesubject (predicate of question)κέντρον: 'sting, goad, point'; death's venomous sting — explained in v.56.
56

τὸ δὲ κέντρον τοῦ θανάτου ἡ ἁμαρτία, ἡ δὲ δύναμις τῆς ἁμαρτίας ὁ νόμος·

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

Explanation (the theology of death's sting)δέA compressed theological aside: death's sting is sin (sin gives death its lethal power), and sin's power is the law (which exposes and provokes sin). The Romans 5–7 nexus in miniature.
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲandexplanatory/continuative conjunction
κέντρονstingNominativesubjectκέντρον: 'sting'; what makes death deadly.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θανάτουdeathGenitivepossessive genitiveθάνατος: 'death.'
theNominativearticle
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativepredicate nominativeἁμαρτία: 'sin'; sin arms death — 'the wages of sin is death' (Rom 6:23).
theNominativearticle
δὲandcontinuative conjunction
δύναμιςpowerNominativesubjectδύναμις: 'power'; what gives sin its force.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitivepossessive genitive
theNominativearticle
νόμοςlawNominativepredicate nominativeνόμος: 'law'; the law defines and provokes sin, intensifying its deadly grip (cf. Rom 7:7–13).
57

τῷ δὲ θεῷ χάρις τῷ διδόντι ἡμῖν τὸ νῖκος διὰ τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Doxological climaxδέThe thunderous answer to the taunt: thanks be to God, who is even now giving us the victory over sin, law, and death — through the Lord Jesus Christ. Triumph, not by us, but as gift.
τῷtoDativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
θεῷGodDativedat. of recipient (of thanks)θεός: God — the giver and ground of victory.
χάριςthanksNominativesubject (elliptical 'be')χάρις: here 'thanks, gratitude'; χάρις τῷ θεῷ = 'thanks be to God.'
τῷthe (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
διδόντιwho givesPres Act Ptc · Dat Sg Masc · δίδωμιattributive participle (in apposition to θεῷ)→ progressive present (continual giving)δίδωμι: 'give'; the present participle — God is even now giving the victory, a present possession secured for the future.
ἡμῖνusDativeindirect object
τὸtheAccusativearticle
νῖκοςvictoryAccusativedirect object (of ptc.)νῖκος: 'victory'; the very thing death boasted (v.55), now ours as gift.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (agency/mediation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveobject of διά (mediator)κύριος: 'Lord'; the victory comes through Christ, the risen conqueror of death.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
58

Ὥστε, ἀδελφοί μου ἀγαπητοί, ἑδραῖοι γίνεσθε, ἀμετακίνητοι, περισσεύοντες ἐν τῷ ἔργῳ τοῦ κυρίου πάντοτε, εἰδότες ὅτι ὁ κόπος ὑμῶν οὐκ ἔστιν κενὸς ἐν κυρίῳ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Practical conclusion (the 'therefore')ὭστεThe chapter's grand 'therefore': because the resurrection is sure and death defeated, the Corinthians are to be unshakeable and abundant in the Lord's work — for, against the deniers' logic, such labor is never 'in vain' (κενός, the keyword, redeemed).
Ὥστεthereforeinferential conjunctionὥστε: 'so that, therefore'; draws the practical conclusion from the whole argument.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the warm address fitting the chapter's close.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἀγαπητοίbelovedVocativeattributive adjective (vocative)ἀγαπητός: 'beloved'; from ἀγαπάω — affectionate pastoral warmth.
ἑδραῖοιsteadfastNominativepredicate adjective (with γίνεσθε)ἑδραῖος: 'seated, settled, firm' (from ἕδρα, 'seat'); rooted and stable in the faith.
γίνεσθεbePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιimperative (main exhortation)→ imperative (ongoing)γίνομαι: 'become, be'; 'keep on being/showing yourselves steadfast.'
ἀμετακίνητοιimmovableNominativepredicate adjectiveἀμετακίνητος: 'immovable, not to be shifted' (α-privative + μετακινέω); unmoved by false teaching.
περισσεύοντεςaboundingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · περισσεύωadverbial participle (manner/attendant circumstance)→ progressive presentπερισσεύω: 'abound, overflow, excel'; not merely doing but overflowing in the Lord's work.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἔργῳworkDativedat. of sphereἔργον: 'work, deed, labor'; the Lord's service, given new meaning by the resurrection hope.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveobjective/possessive genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; the work belongs to and serves the risen Christ.
πάντοτεalwaysadverb (time)πάντοτε: 'always, at all times'; the constancy of the abounding.
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαcausal/adverbial participle→ intensive perfect (settled knowledge)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present sense); the assured knowledge that grounds the steadfastness.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content)
theNominativearticle
κόποςlaborNominativesubjectκόπος: 'toil, wearisome labor'; effort to the point of fatigue — yet not wasted.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
κενὸςin vainNominativepredicate adjectiveκενός: 'empty, in vain, fruitless'; the chapter's keyword (vv.10, 14) now triumphantly denied of the believer's labor — resurrection makes work meaningful.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (union/sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of union/sphereκύριος: 'Lord'; 'in the Lord' — labor united to Christ shares his deathless permanence.